Analysis: Key takeaways from Clemson football's 30-0 win at South Carolina

COLUMBIA -- Clemson isn't able to compete for an ACC football championship this season for the first time in seven years.

But the state title was still at stake.

The Tigers rolled to a 30-0 victory Saturday night over rival South Carolina in Williams-Brice Stadium as their defense put on a smothering display. It was Clemson's seventh straight victory in the series and the first shutout since a 45-0 win here in 1989. The Gamecocks' offense, in fact, never got within 40 yards of the end zone until the final minute of the game.

"A shutout on the road against anyone is pretty special," Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. "This ranks right up there with any of them. ... Great performance. A shutout on the road is pretty special. It ranks right up there with any of them. ... Great performance. Best performance of the year.

History made:Clemson running back Will Shipley matches C.J. Spiller's freshman mark

Big plays:Andrew Booth's two interceptions lead Clemson defense against South Carolina

Play-by-play:Clemson gets shutout against South Carolina

Clemson (9-3) was knocked out of a return to the ACC championship game Friday night with N.C. State’s win against North Carolina. Wake Forest won the Atlantic Division on Saturday by beating Boston College and will play Pitt in the Dec. 4 title game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

Here are some takeaways:

Clemson needed to take control early

South Carolina’s home crowd was fired up for this one. The Gamecocks were excited about Senior Night and the renewal of the rivalry series after last year’s game was canceled because of COVID. They had beaten Auburn and Florida in the past three weeks. Maybe South Carolina could break the six-game losing streak in the series against Clemson, which will not have a chance to win a seventh straight ACC championship.

Considering all that and the environment, Clemson’s opening possession seemed crucial. Three-and-out would have super-charged the Gamecocks and their fans.

Instead, Clemson went on a seven-play touchdown drive, converting a third-and-11 on a 22-yard run by quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei and then capping it with a 29-yard TD run by Will Shipley. South Carolina followed with three plays and a punt. Energy in the stadium was never the same after that.

Clemson offense relies on run game

Clemson’s offensive scheme didn’t figure to be like this with a strong-armed quarterback like Uiagalelei taking over what had been a high-powered pass attack for years, but the Tigers have shown they have to be able to rely on the running game.

Last week against eventual ACC division champ Wake Forest, the Tigers ran for 333 yards.  It took pressure off Uiagalelei, who was efficient if not spectacular, and Clemson took a 48-27 win. Against South Carolina, that continued as the Tigers ran for 193 yards in the first half, 7.7 per carry, for a  17-0 lead. Clemson finished with 265 rushing yards and Shipley had 128.

Shipley became the first Clemson freshman since C.J. Spiller to have three 100-yard games in his freshman season. Spiller, the former NFL star, is now running backs coach.

Booth makes highlight interceptions

If there was a criticism of Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr., It was that he is too inconsistent. He can make acrobatic interceptions but also can miss the easy ones or let a wide receiver slip free. That was on full display in the first half.

Booth dropped a pass that hit him in both hands and would have been a touchdown. Perhaps his eyes were already looking to the end zone. Two plays later, he made up for it with a diving interception. Clemson was set up at the 13 and had to settle for a field goal, but it was a 10-0 lead.

In the second quarter, South Carolina quarterback Jason Brown threw a deep pass over the middle and Booth out-leaped a receiver at the goal line for another interception. Last season, he had two picks and a fumble return for a touchdown in making second-team All-ACC.